Film + TV

10 'Rita and Friends' musical memories

by Nicole Villeneuve

April 17, 2013

Sad news came out of the East Coast this morning when it was announced that Rita MacNeil had died at the age of 68. The cause is said to be complications from surgery.

The acclaimed Cape Breton singer/songwriter (and feminist!) hosted a successful variety show, Rita and Friends, that ran on the CBC from 1994-1997, a time we’ve already pointed out as a rich time for Canrock. We were obviously in deep on that stuff and obviously watched it and even perhaps remember Rita best for bringing our bands (our bands) to an audience we never imagined at the time. Here are some of our favourite moments. RIP, Rita.

Sloan, “Penpals”

That intro! Those outfits (that’s two days in a row for us posting about your weird on-TV outfits, SLOAN.)! All this East Coast reverie is just so lovely.

Rusty, “Misogyny”

More weird outfits. Canada what was up with you.

Sandbox, “Collide”

Sometimes I think Sandbox was just a figment of my fellow New Glasgow-born-and-bred imagination, and if it weren’t for the pictures I have of them playing the Pictou Lobster Carnival and the internet and my validating coworkers, I’d be left to hum “Curious” forever and ever around in a loop (just like in the music video for that song that definitely existed). ANYWAY, I wonder if this is the first time Sandbox guitarist Mike Smith and Rita met, years before they’d meet again on the Trailer Park Boys.

The Killjoys, “Any Day Now”

RITA MACNEIL SAYING “POPCORE.”

Barenaked Ladies, “The Old Apartment”

Oh, sweet Rita.

Kate and Anna McGarrigle, “Goin’ Back to Harlan”

Realworld, “Angels”

Rita was an early supporter of fellow Big Pond, NS act Realworld, and while you might not recognize their name or music, member Gordie Sampson has gone on to become a massive pop/country hit songwriter for other artists. You go, Big Pond.

The Watchmen, “Shut Up”